How To Get Referrals From Warm Contacts
You may find it hard to use networking to find a job if you
can't rely on your warm contacts to give you the information you
need. At times, you would have to ask your warm contacts to
refer you to at least two people that they know who will be able
to give you the information you needed.
However, there are times that your warm contact, particularly
those who don't know you well, may not readily provide you with
the information. Some of your warm contacts may feel reluctant
about vouching for you to their other contacts.
Because of this, you may find it difficult to use your network.
To make networking and getting referrals an easy task for you,
here are a few tips.
* Nurture your warm contacts.
Before you even need your warm contacts or before you even ask
for help, keep in touch with your warm contacts. You may send
notes or greetings from time to time, call to "catch up" on
them, invite them to lunch, be interested or help in their
business or do anything just to cultivate your connection with
them.
In this way, by the time you need help, they can remember you
and can more readily give information about their other contacts
that will be able to help you.
* Be polite.
Since you might not have close personal relationships with some
of your valuable warm contacts, it is inappropriate to just give
them a call and ask them for information about your field of
interest.
Sometimes, sending a note in advance, or asking to meet them for
lunch is a better way to ask for their help.
* Listen to them.
Most of the time, even if your warm contact knows little in the
field where you are trying to find a job, they might offer you
advice. Be polite and interested in what they are saying. Who
knows, the information that they are giving may be valuable to
you in the future.
There are times that your warm contacts may be telling you tips
on what manner will work best when you talk to the persons to
whom you are being referred. Your warm contacts may also imply
what qualities and qualifications the person is looking for.
* Ask for at least two referrals.
Before you ask for referrals, make sure that your warm contact
had said everything that he or she can say about your field of
interest.
Even if they know little about that field, it is impolite if you
cut them short while they are speaking to ask if they know
somebody who will be able to help you.
If they weren't able to refer you to at least one of their
contacts, thoughtfully ask them why they couldn't do so. They
may give you answers that may include indirect comments or
suggestions. They may also indicate a lack of confidence in your
work strategy. If this is so, you may have to make follow ups
with them to prove that you are indeed credible and match their
requirements.
However, there are also times when they can't refer you to their
contacts because they just don't know anybody who might have the
information or might be interested in the product.
In this case, ask them to keep their eyes open for opportunities
that you might be interested in. You can also leave with them
copies of your resume.
* Just ask for two referrals.
Two referrals are enough from each warm contact. This is to have
another option in case the first one didn't work out. Asking for
more than two referrals could be impolite as it can take much
time from your warm contact. Also, that will make your warm
contact feel that you are relying mostly on him or her for your
job search. So, unless they volunteer the information, don't ask
for more than 2 referrals.
* Contact referrals as soon as possible.
When your warm contacts give you referrals, there are times that
they also call these people personally to give more information
about you. On the other hand, when you contact the people to
whom you were referred, your referrals may call your warm
contacts to verify the information or to ask more information
about you.
Either way, you have to contact your referrals soon enough that
these people can still remember their conversation with your
warm contact, or your warm contact can still remember that you
have talked.
At times, after your referrals were called by your warm
contacts, they anticipate your call and even prepare
questionnaires and exams for you to take. Do not waste this
opportunity by delaying follow-up on referrals.
Keeping these tips in mind will be able to help you in asking
for good referrals from your warm contacts.